Stories about Latin America from July, 2016
Once, Students in the US Were Punished for Speaking Spanish. Here, They Are Honored.
This is Concurso Nacional de Deletreo en Español, the National Spanish Spelling Bee.
Pampulha Ensemble, Precursor to Brasilia, Gets UNESCO World Heritage Status
The Pampulha Ensemble, as well as Brazil's capital Brasília, were designed by the country's late-great modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer.
Ignorance About Transgender Identities in the US and Mexico and the Challenges of Winning Asylum
A recent report highlights transgender human rights abuses in Mexico, and how the US immigration system has made accessing asylum particularly difficult.
Jalisco Moves to End Political Immunity and Usher In a New Kind of Politics for Mexico
"For many years they've told us we have to get used to the political class' privileges, but today in Jalisco we heard the historic call of society: no more impunity."
So Long, Phone Companies. Mexico’s Indigenous Groups Are Getting Their Own Telecoms.
For the first time in history, the Mixe, Mixteco, and Zapoteco populations will get licenses to operate a telecommunications network for indigenous communities to access cellular and Internet services.
Colombian Truckers Have Stopped Moving, But Their Nationwide Strike Rolls On
The truck-driver and cargo-transporter unions in Colombia have been on strike since the first week of June 2016, delivering a significant blow to the national economy.
Meet the Two Latin American Women Vying for the United Nations’ Top Job
"Excited that @CFigueres is running for #nextSG. Paris Agreement was an incredible achievement."
The Violent Union Protests Happening in Mexico Don’t Represent All Teachers
We interviewed two Mexican teachers about their jobs, their motivations and the conflict caused by the constant protests and violent activism of the National Coordinator of Education Workers union.
A Protection Ritual to ‘Close the Body’ Links Different Religious Traditions in Brazil
The "closing of the body" is supposed to ward off evil. Followers of the Afro-Brazilian religions of Candomblé and Umbanda as well as some Catholics practice the ritual.
Two Argentineans Travel Throughout Latin America Looking for ‘The Other Education’
“Education in Motion” was created by two young Argentineans who travel throughout Latin America documenting the development of popular education and the proposals inspired by social movements in the region.
‘Avocado Talk’ No Longer So Appetizing for Mexicans
Mexico's economic crisis is forcing the country to think about how much people spend on food, and the rising cost of avocados has become a particularly sore point.
The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast: Freedom, Not Control
This week we take you to Puerto Rico, Indian-administered Kashmir, Nepal, China and Myanmar.
Meet the Nicaraguan Feminist Group Fighting Gender-Based Violence in Central America
The civic group La Corriente develops “actions that generate changes [for] equality, […] combining research, education, media, and the creativity of a team of people devoted to the feminist cause."
Puerto Rico’s flag Is black and in ‘mourning’ over US-imposed oversight board
"Puerto Rico is fighting, lets strengthen the love between us and the space we inhabit by promoting respect, solidarity, tolerance, union, communication, and community cooperation."
Recently Discovered Rock Paintings May Change Machu Picchu's History as We Know It
Machu Picchu returns to the headlines with the discovery of rock paintings about 100 yards away from the very well-known tourist destination.
Yet Another Environmental Activist Is Murdered in Honduras. When Will It End?
"We demand that the Honduras government put an end to the murders of environmental activists. Stop killing us for defending our rights."
‘Playing for Change’ Promotes Peace and Inclusion Around the World Through Music
"Throughout our journey we have learned that music is the greatest tool for healing broken countries, cultures and hearts."
‘Our Strength as Women Lies in the Differences Among Us': The Central American Feminist Symposium
"[M]y struggle is filled with energy from all of these marvelous and invigorating women, my commitment has new strength..."
Learn Amazonian Languages With Apps Made in Iquitos
The Peruvian Amazon is revealed as an area of great potential for the community of software 'developers' in the region.
How the Death of Arturo the Polar Bear Blew up Argentina's Animal Captivity Debate
“What can one learn when looking at a polar bear caged in 40 degrees? That we have the power to subdue animals for our own fancy, disguising it as educational.”
Puerto Ricans Won't Accept US-Imposed Austerity Without a Fight
With the federal fiscal control board imposed by the recent signing of PROMESA into law, Puerto Ricans have taken to the streets and social media to protest.